South Sudan hopes oil refinery works in four months

March 8, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudanese government Wednesday said it would start production and delivery of refined oil products from its own refinery after four months.

A worker at the power plant of an oil processing facility in South Sudan’s Unity state on 22 April 2012 (Photo: Reuters)

The head of the national oil company told reporters on Wednesday that he briefed President Salva Kiir on the progress in the construction of the refinery project in Upper Nile region, adding he further heard from the chief executive of the company contracted to build the refinery.

James Thelweng, the Managing Director of Nilepet said President Kiir assured the company of the commitment of the government and pledged support of the government in the construction.

“It was fruitful meeting. We went to brief the president of the republic on the progress made and to hear from the company constructing the refinery. They (company) have expressed their happiness and appreciated the commitment of the president and the government to support the construction. They also emphasised on the commitment of the company to supply its customers and it will make sure that the quantity will go directly to the citizens of the Country,” said Thelweng.

Meanwhile, Arsen Mudunov, the chief executive officer of Safinat Group announced on Wednesday that the refinery will soon start working and its production will be in the market next June 2017.

He added that Safinat Group will work together with the Nilepet in order to achieve its goals of providing enough fuel in the Country

Mudunov said Safinat group in South Sudan discussed today at State House in Juba the way forward in completing the refinery project in the country.

At the refinery’s planned location, construction is underway. Pipes have been laid and a massive dredging operation has commenced, but the outline of a refinery has yet to emerge.

South Sudan is one of the oil producing countries in the world but it doesn’t have its own oil refinery to fuel its struggling economy. Plunging crude prices have pushed Africa’s youngest economy to the brink of recession.

Energy accounts for about 50% of the gross domestic product, 98% of government revenue and 99% of export earnings.

The government is now racing through its foreign currency reserves, and an alarming financial deficit in its 2016 budget has forced officials to discuss a potential cash infusion with the World Bank.

(ST)

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8 March 22:24, by South South

Great, great, great news for people of South Sudan. This is not just about building the refinery, this is about telling the world and rebels in South Sudan that the government of South Sudan is commanding position. Rebels are out from Upper Nile.

You are indeed one of the zillion Kiir’s clueless supporters. When a huge sum of money allocated to the crises management committee and tongues are waging, the Juba kleptocrats are trying to divert attention by bringing another unthinkable project of oil refinery being operational in 4 months. Overwhelmed by village excitement, South Sudan is already jubilating without any clue!!!!!!

Kiir is a good man. The problems Kiir is dealing with right now are bigger than anything. No single president in Africa can handle South Sudan’ situation. Building a refinery is a very good for South Sudan. We know rebels do not want that, they want South Sudan to fail and then blame Kiir and Dinka for it. Equotaria villages are poor of the poorest where people own rats, dogs and monnkey

South South
South Sudan was fair by then, The question is who made South Sudan to be worse country on planet?
Kiir can no longer manage the Country he should give up bro. Presidency is not a family business to remain on for life.

I agree with you totally, presidency is not a family business. Kiir will remain as a president until we have good plan to be replaced. With what South Sudan is facing now, Kiir is a right person to deal with it. Who made South Sudan to be worse? Civil War

Athuut, stainless machines need three months to be sterilize before touching any thing, procuring lost equipment will take like two months, clearing the bushing premises shall take one month, whom do you deceiving now @Yaaah nincompoop? Uppernile refinery will take two years to be functioning.

Do not rejoice until the facility is operational. So many projects have been proposed in the last 12 years but none has materialized. Maybe this is just another scheme to squander the public coffer. Let us see if this government is at least once sincere.

South South,
You rejoice cos then more money will be around for your jienge scoundrels to steal. This oil is not for SS but for state criminals. The Office of the president swindled SSP25m, senior clerk in Kiir´s office Mabor Nhial Mabor SSP4m, the rest you can read in Sudantribune. Over 90% of these thieves are jienges. Congenital thieves, just hopeless lot.

Yes, I am very happy with a refinery building in South Sudan. I know it is killing you because it is a move you do not want. To me, if there are corruptions alleged to someone people in the government, then do investigation. Sudantribune has been a place where rebels smear government officials. I need complete and clear evidences before any indictment.

South Sudanese have already lost hope when we see such a promise by our leaders in this Country. since the independence of South Sudan 2011 a lots of projects have failed and millions of Dollars gone to that one.

Since the signing of CPA of Naivasha, the bushes SPLA thieves started embezzling money which was meant for developmental projects and schemes. Many international donors poured in a lot of monies for south Sudan to start building herself but the all money ended up in individuals pockets and accounts whereas even cattle and dogs have salaries. There was no refinery done all those time till 2013 inc.

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